Plate trailer joints

ABSTRACT

Joining member for joining an adjacent pair of plates on a side of a cargo carrier are formed by a rectilinear strip having an inner surface including a pair of flanges positioned between two rows of aperatures straddling a channel of uniform depth. A sealing strip fixed in said channel having a width about equal to the distance between said pair of flanges, a length equal to the rectilinear strip length, and a thickness greater than the channel depth seals the line of adjacency between the pair of plates. Alternatively, an inner strip including openings alligned with said channel for receiving logistics fittings is employed where the plates are spaced apart to permit the channel defining flanges to project between the plates.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This document is a divisional application of parent U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 07/664,668 filed March 5, 1991, entitled "PLATETRAILER JOINTS"now U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,066.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to van-type semi-trailers andsimilar cargo vehicles and containers constructed of a plurality ofrectangular panels composed of thin aluminum plate or compositematerials as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,685,721, 4,810,027, 4,904,017and 4,940,279. The invention particularly relates to joining members forsuch cargo carriers, the joining members being rectilinear stripsintended to join two adjacent panels in side-by-side relationship so asto form at least a portion of the wall structure of such cargo carriers.

Cargo carriers of the type disclosed in the above-noted patents haveemployed particularly thin rectangular panels coupled by relatively flatjoining members in such a way as to form a semi-trailer, cargo vehicle,container, or other cargo carrier having a high cubic capacity. The veryminimum thickness of materials has been employed to construct the wallsof such a cargo carrier so as to maximize the volume of the cargocarrier for a given width. In the construction of such cargo carriers,particular care has been required in the handling of the panel membersin order to protect the edges of the panel members to insure the panelsare smooth and flat. Any burr, bend, or crease has the propensity toallow moisture to creep between the panel member and the joining memberjoining the panel to an adjacent panel thereby permitting possibledamage to the cargo carrier contents. The burr, bend or crease in theplate edge have the tendency to displace the joining member outward fromthe edge portions of the plate. The special care handling requirementsimposed during the construction of such cargo carriers contributeddirectly to an increased manufacturing cost of such carriers.

Other special problems of plate type cargo carriers resulted when itbecame desirable to include logistics tracks on the sides of such cargocarriers. The attachment of logistics tracks directly to the flat Platesis effectively prohibited since such an attachment requires holes in theplates for fasteners, which can contribute to the invasion of weather.Such holes also produce unwanted stress risers which might contribute tountimely product failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome these and other problems associated with existing styles ofjoining members, the present invention conceives of a joining member forjoining adjacent pairs of plates on a plate trailer comprising arectilinear strip having an outer surface and an inner surface withparallel edges joining the outer and inner surfaces. Two rows ofapertures extend between the outer and inner surfaces, one row adjacenteach of the edges for receiving appropriate fasteners for fastening thejoining strip to the plates to be joined together. The inner surface ofthe strip includes a pair of flanges positioned between the two rows ofapertures with a channel of uniform depth situated between the pair offlanges.

In the first embodiment of the invention, a sealing strip is fixed inthe channel, the strip having a width about equal to the distancebetween the pair of flanges, a length about equal to the length of therectilinear strip and a thickness greater than the channel depth. Theflanges defining the channel are situated midway between the paralleledges of the linear strip and straddle the line of adjacency between thepair of plates joined by the joining member. The sealing strip iscompressed within the channel by the two plates of either side of theline of adjacency to seal the junction of the two plates.

One feature of the first embodiment of the present invention is thepresence of the sealing strip Provided in the channel and situated tostraddle the seam or juncture between the adjacent plates therebymaintaining a sealed barrier despite any slight flexing of the junctureduring travel or operation of the plate trailer. The presence of smallcreases, burrs, or other imperfections in the edges straddled by thechannel will generally be insufficient to cut the moisture barrierprovided by the sealing strip and will not generally provide anystructure which would otherwise act to displace the joining stripoutward from the plate sufficiently to permit moisture to be driven pastthe line of fasteners into the interior of the cargo carrier.

In a preferred embodiment, the plate includes outer channels providedbetween the parallel edge and the row of fastener receiving apertures soas to prevent moisture from being pressure driven passed the row offasteners. A second inner lateral channel is also provided which allowsmoisture to travel vertically within the joining member away from thejoined seam between the two adjacent plates joined by the joiningmember. A small undercut on the inner edge of the second inner lateralchannel allows for small amount of conformity correction to the pair offlanges defining the central channel where certain large plate errorsmay exist.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the adjacent platesforming the wall are spaced apart from each other and the pair offlanges project between the pair of adjacent flanges toward a secondinner strip. The inner strip includes appropriate openings aligned withsaid channel for receiving the desired logistics fittings. In apreferred embodiment, both the outer strip and inner strip arepositioned on the outer surface of the adjacent pair of plates with theinner strip having an off-set center portion projecting between theselected pair of plates. In this embodiment, the lateral edges of theouter strip project laterally beyond the inner rectilinear strip andinclude a sealing means joining the outer edges of the outer rectilinearstrip to the outer surface of the adjacent plates.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer rectilinearstrip and the inner rectilinear strip are positioned on oppositesurfaces of the selected pair of spaced adjacent plates. In thispreferred embodiment, lateral channel means are provided on each side ofthe pair of flanges coincident with the spaced edges of the adjacentplates and sealing means is received in the lateral channels engagingthe spaced edges of the pair of adjacent plates.

A feature of both embodiments is the use of a pair of rectilinearjoining strips which adjoin the spaced plates with the logistics trackbeing positioned between the pair of adjacent spaced apart plates. Sucha structure has the advantage of increased strength over the use of asingle joining member, yet at the same time provides for easy attachmentof the desired fasteners and fittings. Further, since the fasteners andfittings are to be received in a strip which is positioned at least inpart between the adjacent plates, this feature has the further advantageof reducing any projection of the logistics fittings into the cargo areathereby maximizing the cubic content of the cargo carrier.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments exemplifying the bestmodes of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. The detaileddescription particularly refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plate trailer incorporating joiningmembers in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 showing a joiningmember in accordance with the present invention in cross-section.

FIG. 3 is a detail sectional view of the joining member shown in FIG. 2prior to assembly.

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view of the joining member shown in FIG. 2subsequent to assembly.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1 showing asecond embodiment for joining member in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 5 of yet anotherembodiment of a joining member in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A plate trailer 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown inperspective in FIG. 1 to generally comprise a floor 12, a roof 14, and apair of side walls 16 and 18. The trailer body also includes a forwardbulkhead 20, a suspension 22 including wheels 24, and one or more axles26 for supporting a rearward end of the trailer 10. The trailer 10 alsoincludes a king pin 28 for attachment to the fifth wheel of a tractor inthe conventional manner and a landing gear 30 for supporting the trailer10 when not attached to a tractor. Each side wall 16 and 18 comprises aplurality of generally flat rectangular plates 32. The plates 32 may beconstructed either of a lightweight metallic material, preferablytempered aluminum alloy, or may be a composite structure employing athin aluminum skin bonded to each side of a polymeric core ofpolypropylene, polyethylene, or the like. The plates 32 are joined byjoining members 34 which are in the form of vertically orientedrectilinear strips shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 4.

A shown in FIG. 2, the plates 32 are situated with respect to each othersuch that their edges define a common line of adjacency 36. The joiningmember 34 includes an outward facing surface 38 and an inward or platefacing surface 40. The outer surface 38 and inner surface 40 are joinedby a pair of outside edges 42 and 44 defining the margins of the joiningmember. Two rows of fasteners 46 and 48 are provided in fastenerreceiving apertures in the joining member and extend through the plates32 with one row of fasteners adjacent to each of the edges 42 and 44.The outer surface 38 includes linear depressions 50 and 52 intended toprotect the heads of the fasteners 46 and 48 from any shearing actionwhich might occur due to casual contact with an obstruction or the like.

The inside surface 40 of the joining member 34 includes outside channels54 and 56 running the length of the strip which aid in trapping anymoisture which might be pushed passed the margins 42 and 44 prior tocontact with the row of fasteners 46 and 48, respectively. The outsidechannels 54 and 56 provide a vertical pathway for such moisture to bedirected to the bottom of the trailer and thereby prevent any migrationto the inside of the trailer 10.

Between the two rows of fasteners 46 and 48 are a pair of lateralchannels 58 and 60 which are separated by a stem member 62 supporting apair of flanges 64 and 66 straddling the line of adjacency 36 betweenthe two Plates 32. As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, theflanges 64 and 66 are separated by a central plate-facing channel 68 ofuniform depth. Each of the lateral channels 58 and 60 include undercutportions 70 and 72, respectively, which define the inside edges of thelateral channels 58 and 60 and act together to define the width of thestem Portion 62 which is illustrated to have a width less than, butabout equal to the distance between the flanges 64 and 66.

A sealing strip 74 of elastomeric material is situated in the channel68. The sealing strip 74 has a width about equal to the distance betweenthe flanges 64 and 66, a length equal to the length of the rectilinearstrip 34 and a thickness considerably greater than the depth of channel68.

As the strip 34 is assembled to the plates 32 such that flanges 64 and66 straddle the line of adjacency 36 between the plates 32 as shown inFIG. 4, the sealing strip 74 is compressed by contact with the outersurface 76 of the plates 32 in the immediate vicinity of the line ofadjacency 36. Any minor misalignment of the plates 32 along the line ofadjacency 36 is easily compensated for by the sealing strip 74. Thepresence of any burrs, bumps or creases in either of the plates 32immediately adjacent to the line of adjacency 36 is also easilycompensated for by the strip of sealing material 74 retained incompression on both sides of the line of adjacency 36 by the flanges 64and 66 defining the sides of channel 68. An additional strip of sealingmaterial (not shown) is preferably situated between the joining member34 and the plates 32 along the two rows of fasteners 46 and 48 toprevent any moisture intrusion through the fastener receiving aperturesin the plates 32.

While such a self-sealing joining member can be employed in mostlocations along the length of a trailer, it has been found that incertain locations it is desirable to provide a joining member whichincludes means for receiving logistics fasteners and fittings on aninner surface thereof. Two alternative embodiments of such a strip 78are shown in section in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In a first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the joining member 78 includes anouter rectilinear strip 80 fixed to the outer surface of plates 32 andan inner rectilinear strip 82 fixed to the inner surface of the plates32 by a common set of fasteners 84 and 86 which pass through both outerand inner rectilinear strips 80 and 82 as well as the plates 32. It isimportant to note that the plates 32 are spaced apart from each other.The inner surface 88 of the outer rectilinear strip 80 includes a pairof flanges 90 and 92 which project between the margins of the plates 32to contact surface 94 of inner strip 82. A channel 96 of uniform depthis provided between the two flanges 90 and 92. The channel 96 is alignedwith a plurality of openings 98 in the inner rectilinear strip 82 whichwere adapted to receive various logistics fittings. The outer margin ofeach of the flanges 90 and 92 defines a lateral channel 100 and 102 intowhich a sealing material 104 can be placed which engages the spacededges of the plates 32 thereby sealing the channel against any intrusionby moisture. An additional strip of sealing material (not shown) ispreferably situated between the joining member 78 and the plates 32along the two rows of fasteners 84 and 86 to prevent any moistureintrusion through the fastener receiving apertures in the plates 32.

An alternative embodiment for a joining member incorporating a logisticsfittings receiving openings is shown in FIG. 6 wherein an outerrectilinear strip 106 and an inner rectilinear strip 108 are bothsituated on the outer surface 76 of plates 32. The inner strip 108includes an offset central portion 110 which projects inward beyond theinner wall surface 112 of the trailer. A pair of flanges 114 and 116 ofthe outer longitudinal strip 106 Project into the space between theadjacent plates 32, but stop short of the inner strip central portion110. Like flanges 90 and 92, the flanges 114 and 116 straddle a centralchannel 118 of essentially uniform depth which is aligned with thelogistics receiving openings 98 provided in the inner linear strip 108.As in FIG. 5, the outer linear strip 106 and inner linear strip 108 arefixed to the adjacent plates 32 by a common row of fasteners 84 and 86.The lateral edges 120 and 122 of the outer lateral strip extendlaterally beyond the outer limits of the inner strip 108 and are sealedto the plate outer surface 76 by sealing strips 124 and 126,respectively, which inhibit moisture from traveling into the interior ofthe trailer. An additional strip of sealing material (not shown) ispreferably situated between the inner strip 108 and the plates 32 alongthe two rows of fasteners 84 and 86 to prevent any moisture intrusionthrough the fastener receiving apertures in the plates 32.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain illustrated preferred embodiments, variations and modificationsexist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and asdefined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cargo carrier having sides comprising aplurality of adjacent plates with outer surfaces, at least a selectedpair of the adjacent plates being spaced from each other by a specifiedamount, and a joining member for joining said selected pair of adjacentplates, the joining member comprising:an outer rectilinear strip and aninner rectilinear strip, each strip having an outer surface, an innersurface, parallel edges joining the outer and inner surfaces, and tworows of aperatures extending between the outer and inner surfaces, onerow adjacent each of the edges of said outer and inner strips forreceiving means for fastening the strips to said plates, the outer stripinner surface including a pair of flanges positioned between saidselected pair of adjacent plates and projecting toward the inner stripouter surface forming a channel of uniform depth situated between thepair of flanges, and the inner strip including means alligned with saidchannel for receiving logistics fittings.
 2. A cargo carrier accordingto claim 1 wherein said outer rectilinear strip and said innerrectilinear strip are both positioned on an outer surface of saidselected pair of adjacent plates and wherein said inner strip furthercomprises an offset central portion projecting between said selectedpair of adjacent plates.
 3. A cargo carrier according to claim 2 whereinsaid outer rectilinear strip parallel edges extend laterally beyond saidinner rectilinear strip parallel edges and wherein said cargo carrierfurther comprises sealing means for joining said outer rectilinear stripparallel edges to said outer surface of said selected pair of adjacentplates.
 4. A cargo carrier according to claim 1 wherein said outerrectilinear strip and said inner rectilinear strip are positioned onopposite surfaces of said selected pair of adjacent plates and whereinsaid pair of flanges contact said inner strip outer surface.
 5. A cargocarrier according to claim 4 wherein said outer rectilinear strip innersurface further comprises lateral channel means for forming a lateralchannel situated outside said pair of flanges and coincident with thespaced edges of said selected pair of adjacent plates, said outerrectilinear strip inner surface further comprising sealing meansreceived in said lateral channel means for engaging said spaced apartedges of said selected pair of adjacent plates.
 6. A cargo carrieraccording to claim 1 wherein said pair of flanges contacts said innerrectilinear strip.
 7. A cargo carrier according to claim 1 wherein saidpair of flanges is spaced apart from said inner rectilinear strip.
 8. Acargo carrier according to claim 1 wherein said means for receivinglogistics fittings comprises a plurality of openings centrally andlinearly arranged along the length of said inner rectilinear strip.
 9. Acargo carrier according to claim 1 wherein the plates forming thetrailer sides, which are joined by the joining members, consistessentially of aluminum.
 10. A joining member for joining a pair ofadjacent plates on a side of a cargo carrier, each plate having outersurfaces, the joining member comprising:an outer and inner rectilinearstrip each having an outer surface, an inner surface and parallel edgesjoining the outer and inner surfaces; means for fastening said outer andsaid inner rectilinear strips to said plates; flange means attached tosaid inner surface of said outer strip and positioned between said pairof adjacent plates, said flange means for forming a channel of uniformdepth wherein said flange means projects towards said outer surface ofsaid inner strip; and means for receiving logistics fittings alignedwith said channel.
 11. The joining member of claim 10 further comprisinglateral channel means situated outside said flange means for receiving asealing means for sealingly engaging said pair of adjacent plates.